AICPA minority initiatives committee celebrates 40th anniversary.

The AICPA Minority Initiatives Committee is celebrating its 40th anniversary in several ways, including releasing a free e-book showcasing accomplished CPAs, hosting a leadership workshop and receiving an award for excellence. By communicating these successes, the MIC hopes to increase diversity in the profession and promote the CPA credential to young minority students.

Diversity in the Profession

According to the AICPA's 2009 Trends in the Supply of Accounting Graduates and the Demand for Public Accounting Recruits, accounting enrollments reached more than 213,000 students across all degree programs, up almost 5% from the previous year. Minorities comprised 26% of bachelor's enrollments: 12% Black/African American, 7% Asian, 6% Hispanic/Latino and 1% American Indian/Alaskan Native. It is well known among business leaders that diversity is an integral part of achieving success, growing relationships and expanding business globally. Particularly in the accounting profession, minorities are represented in increasing numbers. Talented minority CPAs work in a multitude of positions at numerous organizations, from Wall Street to the Big Four to educational institutions and not-for-profit organizations.

The AICPA launched the MIC in 1969, recognizing the need to support, encourage and recruit minorities into the profession. Since then, the committee has focused on bringing greater numbers of minorities into the CPA profession.

Accomplishments of Individuals

In honor of its 40th anniversary, the committee published CPAs of Color: Celebrating 40 Years, a free e-book illustrating the professional accomplishments of minority CPAs. A primary goal of the e-book is to demonstrate the strength of diversity to those who currently do not realize they have a seat at the table, and also to enhance engagement of minorities within the AICPA and the CPA profession by increasing numbers in conferences, training and leadership seminars.

The new e-book shares the stories of 41 minority CPAs who describe the challenges and hurdles they overcame on the way to CPA certification and offer advice for aspiring CPAs.

"Before coming to the United States, I worked for one of the biggest international shipping companies. My CPA boss encouraged me to go back to school and learn accounting, so I did--and he paid for my tuition. He inspired me to become a CPA. I followed in my first CPA boss' footsteps," said Vee Cristobal, CPA.

"I learned through my professors and membership...

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